Name: Mollusca; Cephalopoda; Octopoda; Paleoctopus newboldi
Geological Time: Middle Cretaceous, Cenomanian Stage (~95 million years ago)
Size (25.4mm=1 inch): 85 mm long and 27 mm across tentacles on a 129 mm by 58 mm matrix
Location: Haqel, Lebanon
 Description:
Here is a most unusual fossil from the Cretaceous of Lebanon; a very
detailed octopus. Given the fact that there are no hard parts to preserve
to speak of, the detail here is amazing. The last photo has been enhanced
to bring out some features which are somewhat faint. The darkest area
is actually preserved ink which the octopus would have used as a smokescreen
to protect it from predators. Few examples are ever offered for sale,
with this being one of the best I have come across. There are two
small fish present as well, most likely Hajulia sp. |
